At most places, at least. Depends on the size of the establishment, but it's apparently the new law of the land. The western bars I've been to are seemingly being compliant... but what about Korean Hofs/other similar establishments in the area... how's that going to hold up?

At most places, at least. Depends on the size of the establishment, but it's apparently the new law of the land. The western bars I've been to are seemingly being compliant... but what about Korean Hofs/other similar establishments in the area... how's that going to hold up?

Toby, those weren't the particular places I went to, so I don't know. It has to do with establishments with either over or under 50 pyeong of space (I don't know which) that are forced to ban smoking. I googled it earlier, but came up with nothing. I'm just relaying information from the horse's mouth. Very sudden implementation, however.

I'm still very curious about the ajosshi establishments, if this is being implemented throughout the entire Gu, which is supposedly where this measure originated. I can't imagine some of those hof owners trying to tell an ajosshi to step outside to smoke his virginia slim in the bitter cold without some feedback.

It has to do with establishments with either over or under 50 pyeong of space (I don't know which) that are forced to ban smoking. I googled it earlier, but came up with nothing. I'm just relaying information from the horse's mouth.

It has to do with establishments with either over or under 50 pyeong of space (I don't know which) that are forced to ban smoking. I googled it earlier, but came up with nothing. I'm just relaying information from the horse's mouth.

See previous post.

OK, but I didn't see it, since I was responding to the person who posted before you.

This is an attack on my freedoms. this will lead to a substantial drop in business for these establishments, as smokers go elsewhere

Your right to ruin your health has no precedent over other people's right to protect theirs.

Besides, sociologists in Canada have done some research on the smoking ban in bars and found that people end up making new friends and acquaintances as they chat outside of the entrance over a smoke, something which happens less often inside the bar as loud music isn't exactly conducive to conversation.

If you think the bars are going to risk getting fined W5,000,000 you must have been born yesterday. This is not a tough law to enforce.

LOL.

Let me list some of the other laws that are not difficult to enforce but aren't...Christ, I won't even bother. I have to teach in twenty minutes. It'll take longer than that to list all the laws that are 'on the books' in Korea but aren't enforced. Remember how they banned motorcycles on Seoul's streets three years ago? Remember that one? How is that going?

How difficult is it to pull over a car that just ran a red light? How demanding is it to put a ticket on the winsdshield of a car parked on a crosswalk? Or handing a ticket to ajoshie after he empties his nostrils on the street? Not going to happen. Same with the smoking thing. I'm a pretty militant non-smoker. Smoking around other people is obnoxious and the height of selfishness. I would love to see all bars in Itaewon go smoke free. But it's not going to happen. I do, however, find it absolutely adorable that you think it will be complied with and enforced because it's now 'the law'.